“And then you got divorced?” she continued harshly. “Don’t you think you should be sorry to your ex-wife instead of badmouthing her like this?”
Magnus stumbled slightly as she pushed closer, caught off guard by the force of her anger. His chest heaved as he steadied himself.
“It wasn’t love!” he said quickly, his voice rising with agitation.
He took a step forward despite her grip, closing the remaining space between them, his eyes locked onto hers.
“We were both trapped in that marriage for our own selfish reasons,” he continued, frustration threading through his voice. “We had nothing to do with each other!”
His brows drew together, and he dragged a hand through his hair before looking back at her.
“But if you still think I wronged her—if you think I failed her in any way…” His voice lowered slightly, though the intensity remained. “Then I am ready to make it right.”
His gaze remained steady on hers.
“I can give her money. Apologize again. Do whatever is necessary.” He inhaled sharply before finishing firmly, “But I cannot control who I fall in love with.”
Before Sophia could respond, Magnus suddenly pulled her closer.
His hands slid around her waist, his fingers pressing firmly into her sides as he drew her against him. The movement was quick and decisive, leaving barely any space between them. One of his hands slowly moved upward, cupping her cheek, his thumb brushing lightly along her jaw as he tilted her face toward him.
His forehead gently brushed against hers.
For a brief moment, Magnus closed his eyes, as if steadying himself. Then he leaned forward slightly, stopping just inches from her lips. His breath mingled with hers, warm and uneven, their proximity thick with tension.
“You are the one I fell in love with,” he murmured, his voice dropping to a husky whisper, heavy with emotion.
His fingers tightened slightly against her cheek as he searched her face.
“Tell me…” he continued softly, his voice trembling with raw intensity. “What must I do to make you believe that you are the only woman I’ve ever loved, Sylvia?”
Sophia froze.
Her body went rigid against his, her back instinctively stiffening in his arms. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as his lips hovered just a breath away from hers. Every inch of him pressed against her like a living memory she had tried so hard to bury.
Memories of him, of moments she had long forced herself to forget.
A faint shiver ran through her body, and she jolted slightly against him before she could stop herself.
Magnus immediately noticed.
He pulled back just a little, barely an inch, just enough to look directly into her eyes. His hand still rested against her cheek, his thumb unconsciously brushing her skin.
His gaze was intense. Desperate.
“You still don’t believe me?” he asked quietly.
Before she could answer, he continued.
“Then I will call her right now. In front of you.” His tone turned firm with determination. “I will show you that we have nothing to do with each other. You can hear it yourself.”
Without breaking eye contact, his fingers slipped into his pocket and pulled out his phone.
Sophia’s heart skipped the moment she realized what he was about to do.
Magnus held the phone in one hand while the other remained firmly around her waist, keeping her close. His thumb moved across the screen as he began dialing, his eyes never leaving her face.
Sophia froze for half a second.
